2009 Results
Under 13A
13/6/2009 Versus Lytham A
at St Annes
Palace Shield
Result:- St Annes won by 21 runs
St Annes : 144 - 4
Lytham A : 123 - 8
Match Report
St Annes reacted in fine style to the loss to Thornton two days earlier with an excellent win over local rivals Lytham.
St Annes captain Mitch Bolus won the toss and elected to bat first on a good wicket and fast outfield. St Annes got off to a quick start but also lost Tyler Douthwaite to bring Thomas Bradley to the crease to join Matt Taaffe. Taaffe continued his superb form to retire with another chanceless 30, mixing quick singles with timing shots all around the wicket. St Annes kept up the run rate when Mitch Bolus joined Bradley and a big score was looking possible as St Annes were able to hit boundaries consistently. Bradley in particular was superb in using the pace of the quicker bowlers to guide them behind square for several boundaries. When Bolus (13) departed Jake Higson came to the crease and immediately took control. Higson showed good patience to wait for the right ball to score off and then took full advantage. With Bradley sensibly taking singles to give Higson most of the strike the total continued to move at pace. Bradley retired for an impressive and mature 32 following successive boundaries and was soon followed by Higson for an equally impressive 31. The scoring was continued by James Remnant who hit a quick 15 and the innings closed on 144 for 4 after Jamie Manley was out on the last ball. St Annes were quickly reminded by the coaching staff however that they had only done half a job and needed to remain focused.
Lytham started their innings well, scored quickly and took advantage of the fast outfield. St Annes had to show their discipline and patience to keep doing the basics well and take their opportunities when they came. The game turned in one fantastic over from the fast improving leg spinner Taaffe who took two wickets in an over to put Lytham under further pressure. Lytham's two frontline batsmen had to retire having made very good 30's to give them hope but the St Annes bowlers began to turn the screw and boundaries became a necessity if Lytham were to be victorious. This was never going to be when Taaffe returned to take his third wicket and finish with the superb figures of 3 for 9 off his three overs, he also contributed a direct hit run out to complete a man of the match performance. This was followed up by some tight bowling from Manley and Remnant who both gave nothing wayward for the Lytham batsman to hit and when combined with excellent catches from Higson and Nathan Stamp it put St Annes in the driving seat. The game was finished when Manley's penultimate over went for only six and then Thomas Bradley held his nerve to go for only two off the last over whilst also picking up a deserved wicket.
St Annes now have four victories from a possible five in the league and are on the road to qualifying should they keep focus and keep listening.
Russ Bradley
Under 13A Team Manager